Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100444
Ufuk İyi̇gün , Deniz Ergene
Background
The digitization of healthcare services in Türkiye has introduced significant legal and ethical challenges, particularly concerning the protection of personal health data. Despite established legal frameworks, limited empirical data exist regarding the behavioral and legal awareness of physicians, especially cardiologists, in complying with data protection regulations.
Objective
To evaluate the legal and practical awareness of cardiologists in Türkiye regarding the protection of personal health data, identify common non-compliant practices, and assess associated forensic risks.
Methods
A cross-sectional, multicenter survey was conducted with 52 cardiologists from various institutions in Türkiye. The questionnaire, developed through literature review and expert input, included 12 items addressing clinical data practices, password sharing, anonymization awareness, and communication methods. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26.
Results
The majority of respondents demonstrated poor compliance with core data protection principles. While 71 % were aware of legal sanctions, nearly half admitted to sharing patient data without consent, and 78.85 % used unsecured platforms like WhatsApp for data transmission. Moreover, 67.31 % were unfamiliar with anonymization, and only one-third maintained exclusive control over their digital signatures.
Conclusions
This study highlights a critical gap between legal knowledge and clinical practice among cardiologists in Türkiye. Institutional interventions—including targeted training, legal education, and secure data systems—are urgently needed to improve compliance, mitigate forensic risk, and uphold patient privacy.
{"title":"Legal and ethical breaches in personal health data handling among cardiologists: A multicenter survey on compliance gaps and forensic risk","authors":"Ufuk İyi̇gün , Deniz Ergene","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100444","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100444","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The digitization of healthcare services in Türkiye has introduced significant legal and ethical challenges, particularly concerning the protection of personal health data. Despite established legal frameworks, limited empirical data exist regarding the behavioral and legal awareness of physicians, especially cardiologists, in complying with data protection regulations.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the legal and practical awareness of cardiologists in Türkiye regarding the protection of personal health data, identify common non-compliant practices, and assess associated forensic risks.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional, multicenter survey was conducted with 52 cardiologists from various institutions in Türkiye. The questionnaire, developed through literature review and expert input, included 12 items addressing clinical data practices, password sharing, anonymization awareness, and communication methods. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The majority of respondents demonstrated poor compliance with core data protection principles. While 71 % were aware of legal sanctions, nearly half admitted to sharing patient data without consent, and 78.85 % used unsecured platforms like WhatsApp for data transmission. Moreover, 67.31 % were unfamiliar with anonymization, and only one-third maintained exclusive control over their digital signatures.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study highlights a critical gap between legal knowledge and clinical practice among cardiologists in Türkiye. Institutional interventions—including targeted training, legal education, and secure data systems—are urgently needed to improve compliance, mitigate forensic risk, and uphold patient privacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100444"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Initial Medical Certificate (IMC) is a crucial medico-legal document, particularly in cases of physical violence, where its descriptive accuracy directly influences its evidentiary value in legal and compensation processes. This study aimed to assess the quality of traumatic lesion documentation in IMCs issued in emergency departments and to identify common deficiencies.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective descriptive study between July and September 2022 in the emergency department of a regional hospital in Tunisia. IMCs issued following physical assault or road traffic accidents were included. Evaluation focused on five common lesion types (erythema, ecchymosis, hematoma, excoriation, wound) using standardized criteria: size, shape, color, depth, location, and estimated age. A binary scoring system classified documentation quality as good, average, or poor.
Results
Out of 218 IMCs analyzed, 54.6 % involved female patients with a mean age of 37 years. Judicial requisitions prompted 94.4 % of the certificates. Descriptions were rated as poor in 47.2 % of cases and average in 52.8 %. No certificate included anatomical landmarks. Wounds were the best described (p < 0.001), while ecchymoses were more often poorly documented (p = 0.016). Lesion size (p < 0.001) and depth (p = 0.02) were the most frequently reported elements.
Conclusion
Significant deficiencies were found in the documentation of elementary lesions, compromising the medico-legal value of IMCs. Implementing structured reporting tools and ongoing training is essential to improve descriptive quality and the probative strength of these certificates.
{"title":"Descriptive quality of traumatic lesion documentation in emergency medical certificates","authors":"Khedija Zaouche , Hana Harzallah , Emna Rezgui , Emna Kallel , Rania Hmaissi , Wicem Hannachi , Fedya El Ayech , Manel Kallel","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100446","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100446","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The Initial Medical Certificate (IMC) is a crucial medico-legal document, particularly in cases of physical violence, where its descriptive accuracy directly influences its evidentiary value in legal and compensation processes. This study aimed to assess the quality of traumatic lesion documentation in IMCs issued in emergency departments and to identify common deficiencies.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a retrospective descriptive study between July and September 2022 in the emergency department of a regional hospital in Tunisia. IMCs issued following physical assault or road traffic accidents were included. Evaluation focused on five common lesion types (erythema, ecchymosis, hematoma, excoriation, wound) using standardized criteria: size, shape, color, depth, location, and estimated age. A binary scoring system classified documentation quality as good, average, or poor.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Out of 218 IMCs analyzed, 54.6 % involved female patients with a mean age of 37 years. Judicial requisitions prompted 94.4 % of the certificates. Descriptions were rated as poor in 47.2 % of cases and average in 52.8 %. No certificate included anatomical landmarks. Wounds were the best described (p < 0.001), while ecchymoses were more often poorly documented (p = 0.016). Lesion size (p < 0.001) and depth (p = 0.02) were the most frequently reported elements.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Significant deficiencies were found in the documentation of elementary lesions, compromising the medico-legal value of IMCs. Implementing structured reporting tools and ongoing training is essential to improve descriptive quality and the probative strength of these certificates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100446"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cases of fatality caused by a tire explosion are extremely rare, especially during the disassembly process. Tire explosions can occur due to improper techniques during assembly or maintenance; however, serious accidents can also occur during disassembly due to the high-pressure air remaining inside the tire tube, as in this case. We present the case of a man in his 60 s who died after being struck by a tire rim due to a tire explosion during the dismantling of a large wheel and tire set of an airplane passenger boarding bridge. Autopsy revealed complex fractures of the head and chest, fractures of the thoracic vertebrae and upper extremities, and damage to multiple organs. A characteristic feature of this case is thoracic vertebral fracture, which has not been found in previous fatal tire explosion cases, suggesting that the injury resulted from a very large external force. This indicates that discarded tires still contain enough pressurized air to launch the rim, posing a danger equal to or greater than that of tire explosions during assembly or maintenance. This case highlights the importance of safety measures during tire disassembly. Although it is mandatory to use a safety cage to fill the tire with air during maintenance, no such safety measures were undertaken during disassembly. It is necessary to implement safety measures and provide equipment in the workplace to protect the workers.
{"title":"Fatal injury from tire explosion during disassembly: A forensic case report","authors":"Shota Furukawa , Ako Sasao , Yuki Ohtsu , Hiroshi Tsutsumi , Chihiro Kawai , Masashi Miyao , Rie Sano , Yoko Nishitani","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100445","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100445","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cases of fatality caused by a tire explosion are extremely rare, especially during the disassembly process. Tire explosions can occur due to improper techniques during assembly or maintenance; however, serious accidents can also occur during disassembly due to the high-pressure air remaining inside the tire tube, as in this case. We present the case of a man in his 60 s who died after being struck by a tire rim due to a tire explosion during the dismantling of a large wheel and tire set of an airplane passenger boarding bridge. Autopsy revealed complex fractures of the head and chest, fractures of the thoracic vertebrae and upper extremities, and damage to multiple organs. A characteristic feature of this case is thoracic vertebral fracture, which has not been found in previous fatal tire explosion cases, suggesting that the injury resulted from a very large external force. This indicates that discarded tires still contain enough pressurized air to launch the rim, posing a danger equal to or greater than that of tire explosions during assembly or maintenance. This case highlights the importance of safety measures during tire disassembly. Although it is mandatory to use a safety cage to fill the tire with air during maintenance, no such safety measures were undertaken during disassembly. It is necessary to implement safety measures and provide equipment in the workplace to protect the workers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100445"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145926636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100443
Kevin Gilmore , Geoffrey T. Desmoulin , Szymon Claridad , Marc-André Nolette , Theodore E. Milner
Forensic biomechanics is used to draw conclusions about incident and injury reports, relying on images of the incident for relevant photogrammetric measurement techniques, such as spatial resection and intersection. However, these techniques rely on the quality and type of media available, which can vary substantially. As such, this study aims to quantify the error associated with utilizing various supporting media. A simulated incident scene containing 2 objects of interest, a model rifle and a motorcycle, was 3D scanned and recorded from 3 camera angles. PhotoModeler was used to measure the 3D location of these objects with supporting media being limited to the use of a 3D scan, calibrated or uncalibrated cameras, single or multiple viewing angles, and stationary or moving cameras. The results of statistical analysis demonstrated that, when supported by a scan, single and multiple camera angles resulted in similar positional measurement errors. Mean errors of 6.52 cm and 5.98 cm for the single view, compared to ranges of 3.73–5.71 cm and 2.56 – 13.74 cm with multiple views, were found for the motorcycle and rifle, respectively. Also, using 3 stationary cameras resulted in lower distance and orientation errors than 3 frames from a moving camera. Thus, it was concluded that supporting 3D scans provide the highest level of accuracy and the use of single or multiple stationary cameras demonstrated higher accuracy compared to mobile cameras. Using 3D scans in conjunction with stationary cameras provides reliability and admissibility of photogrammetry-based evidence in forensic investigations.
{"title":"Forensic reconstruction of an incident scene using rigid body photogrammetry techniques","authors":"Kevin Gilmore , Geoffrey T. Desmoulin , Szymon Claridad , Marc-André Nolette , Theodore E. Milner","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100443","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100443","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forensic biomechanics is used to draw conclusions about incident and injury reports, relying on images of the incident for relevant photogrammetric measurement techniques, such as spatial resection and intersection. However, these techniques rely on the quality and type of media available, which can vary substantially. As such, this study aims to quantify the error associated with utilizing various supporting media. A simulated incident scene containing 2 objects of interest, a model rifle and a motorcycle, was 3D scanned and recorded from 3 camera angles. PhotoModeler was used to measure the 3D location of these objects with supporting media being limited to the use of a 3D scan, calibrated or uncalibrated cameras, single or multiple viewing angles, and stationary or moving cameras. The results of statistical analysis demonstrated that, when supported by a scan, single and multiple camera angles resulted in similar positional measurement errors. Mean errors of 6.52 cm and 5.98 cm for the single view, compared to ranges of 3.73–5.71 cm and 2.56 – 13.74 cm with multiple views, were found for the motorcycle and rifle, respectively. Also, using 3 stationary cameras resulted in lower distance and orientation errors than 3 frames from a moving camera. Thus, it was concluded that supporting 3D scans provide the highest level of accuracy and the use of single or multiple stationary cameras demonstrated higher accuracy compared to mobile cameras. Using 3D scans in conjunction with stationary cameras provides reliability and admissibility of photogrammetry-based evidence in forensic investigations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100443"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100441
Paul Musa Obadia , Elodie Lwendela Kalasa , Georges Kalenga Ilunga , Tony Kayembe-Kitenge , O. Inès , Margot De Vis , Jan Tytgat , Daniel Okitundu Luwa E-Andjafono , Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu , Benoit Nemery
A man was kidnapped and then drugged during a 5-day captivity. After his release, he exhibited various neurological symptoms (inability to walk independently, drowsiness, difficulties to speak, dizziness, headache and a dry mouth). Toxicological analyses of blood and urine samples obtained 3 days after his release revealed therapeutic levels of carbamazepine and its active metabolite in both blood and urine, along with metronidazole and nicotinamide. Carbamazepine has hitherto not been implicated in drug-related crimes. This case highlights the potential misuse of easily available therapeutic drugs for criminal purposes in low-income countries and illustrates the value of prompt international collaboration to elucidate etiologies in forensic toxicology.
{"title":"Criminal use of carbamazepine: A case of drug-facilitated captivity in Lubumbashi, DR Congo","authors":"Paul Musa Obadia , Elodie Lwendela Kalasa , Georges Kalenga Ilunga , Tony Kayembe-Kitenge , O. Inès , Margot De Vis , Jan Tytgat , Daniel Okitundu Luwa E-Andjafono , Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu , Benoit Nemery","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100441","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100441","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A man was kidnapped and then drugged during a 5-day captivity. After his release, he exhibited various neurological symptoms (inability to walk independently, drowsiness, difficulties to speak, dizziness, headache and a dry mouth). Toxicological analyses of blood and urine samples obtained 3 days after his release revealed therapeutic levels of carbamazepine and its active metabolite in both blood and urine, along with metronidazole and nicotinamide. Carbamazepine has hitherto not been implicated in drug-related crimes. This case highlights the potential misuse of easily available therapeutic drugs for criminal purposes in low-income countries and illustrates the value of prompt international collaboration to elucidate etiologies in forensic toxicology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100441"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145792049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100440
Gabriela Idaline de Freitas , Carlos E. Rodrigues Jr , Daniel Eduardo Visciano de Carvalho , Ricardo Utsunomia , Fabio Porto-Foresti
The rapidly expanding global trade in fish maw (dried swim bladders) necessitates urgent forensic monitoring, as this highly processed commodity is morphologically unidentifiable, directly facilitating the illicit inclusion of vulnerable species in the legal supply chain. This research applied DNA Barcoding (cytochrome oxidase I; COI gene) to 120 fish maw samples seized by Brazilian environmental authorities at a major international airport to provide species-level identification and crucial data on trade practices. We identified eight species, with the overwhelming majority belonging to Amazonian Sciaenids (Cynoscion acoupa and Plagioscion auratus) and the catfish Sciades parkeri. Crucially, the definitive identification of C. acoupa and S. parkeri confirms the direct exploitation of species listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, tracing their flow from multiple Brazilian states to major global consumer hubs, including Hong Kong, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Furthermore, the study exposed a critical methodological constraint: an initial ambiguous species assignment by the BOLD system (94 % match) was only resolved by confirming the correct species, S. parkeri, through the NCBI database (100 % match). This finding demonstrates the essential need for critical evaluation and the utilization of complementary reference libraries to overcome 'code gaps' in forensic analyses. These data underscore the essential role of molecular techniques as an enforcement tool for traceability and provide unequivocal evidence supporting the immediate need for targeted legislation and rigorous regulatory oversight to protect vulnerable Amazonian stocks.
{"title":"DNA barcoding for the identification of swim bladders: An approach to international trade monitoring","authors":"Gabriela Idaline de Freitas , Carlos E. Rodrigues Jr , Daniel Eduardo Visciano de Carvalho , Ricardo Utsunomia , Fabio Porto-Foresti","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100440","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100440","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapidly expanding global trade in fish maw (dried swim bladders) necessitates urgent forensic monitoring, as this highly processed commodity is morphologically unidentifiable, directly facilitating the illicit inclusion of vulnerable species in the legal supply chain. This research applied DNA Barcoding (cytochrome oxidase I; COI gene) to 120 fish maw samples seized by Brazilian environmental authorities at a major international airport to provide species-level identification and crucial data on trade practices. We identified eight species, with the overwhelming majority belonging to Amazonian Sciaenids (<em>Cynoscion acoupa</em> and <em>Plagioscion auratus)</em> and the catfish <em>Sciades parkeri</em>. Crucially, the definitive identification of <em>C. acoupa</em> and <em>S. parkeri</em> confirms the direct exploitation of species listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, tracing their flow from multiple Brazilian states to major global consumer hubs, including Hong Kong, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Furthermore, the study exposed a critical methodological constraint: an initial ambiguous species assignment by the BOLD system (94 % match) was only resolved by confirming the correct species, <em>S. parkeri</em>, through the NCBI database (100 % match). This finding demonstrates the essential need for critical evaluation and the utilization of complementary reference libraries to overcome 'code gaps' in forensic analyses. These data underscore the essential role of molecular techniques as an enforcement tool for traceability and provide unequivocal evidence supporting the immediate need for targeted legislation and rigorous regulatory oversight to protect vulnerable Amazonian stocks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100440"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145711883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100435
Jonathan Wong , Evelyn Mei Ling Goh , Jia Ying Goh , Mei Ching Ong , Hooi Yan Moy , Angeline Tiong Whei Yap
This case report describes the concurrent analysis of a seized plant material and a urine sample. The seized plant material was found to contain delta-8-THC acetate, a prodrug of delta-8-THC, as a major component. While the urine sample was found to contain metabolites of delta-8-THC, this was disparate with the relative abundance of delta-8-THC detected in the plant material recovered from the suspect. Delta-8-THC acetate in the plant material was fully characterised by GC-MS, LC-Orbitrap-MS and NMR. Metabolism studies using human liver microsomes demonstrated metabolism of delta-8-THC acetate with the concurrent formation of delta-8-THC-COOH as the primary metabolite. The in-vitro findings were consistent with the authentic urine sample, suggesting that detection of delta-8-THC-COOH likely resulted from delta-8-THC-acetate consumption. This work demonstrates the critical role of orthogonal analytical techniques in the analysis of controlled substances and emphasises the necessity of accounting for prodrug metabolism when interpreting results from the analysis of urine samples.
{"title":"Delta-8-THC acetate-a prodrug of delta-8-THC?: A case report","authors":"Jonathan Wong , Evelyn Mei Ling Goh , Jia Ying Goh , Mei Ching Ong , Hooi Yan Moy , Angeline Tiong Whei Yap","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100435","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100435","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This case report describes the concurrent analysis of a seized plant material and a urine sample. The seized plant material was found to contain delta-8-THC acetate, a prodrug of delta-8-THC, as a major component. While the urine sample was found to contain metabolites of delta-8-THC, this was disparate with the relative abundance of delta-8-THC detected in the plant material recovered from the suspect. Delta-8-THC acetate in the plant material was fully characterised by GC-MS, LC-Orbitrap-MS and NMR. Metabolism studies using human liver microsomes demonstrated metabolism of delta-8-THC acetate with the concurrent formation of delta-8-THC-COOH as the primary metabolite. The <em>in-vitro</em> findings were consistent with the authentic urine sample, suggesting that detection of delta-8-THC-COOH likely resulted from delta-8-THC-acetate consumption. This work demonstrates the critical role of orthogonal analytical techniques in the analysis of controlled substances and emphasises the necessity of accounting for prodrug metabolism when interpreting results from the analysis of urine samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100435"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100436
Juho-Antti Junno , Mikael Brix , Eveliina Lammentausta , Alina Junno , Timo Liimatainen , Jaakko Niinimäki , Juha Kiljunen , Petteri Oura
Identification of the projectile type is among the main objectives in the forensic investigation of a gunshot incident, even if the projectile itself cannot be recovered. Medical imaging, primarily computed tomography (CT), has become a valuable tool in the examination and documentation of gunshot injuries. Bullet types often exhibit distinct patterns of fragment deposition and wound cavitation. In this study, we examined the potential of a CT-based digital three-dimensional (3D) analysis of cavitation and fragmentation patterns to distinguish between four bullets of.223 Remington ammunition (one soft point, one full metal jacket, and two expanding monolithic bullets). We utilized 20 x 20 x 25 cm blocks of ballistic gelatine as tissue simulant, with artificial skin on entry and exit walls of the blocks. Test firing was performed from a distance of 50 m. The gelatine blocks were CT-scanned and 3D reconstructions of the blocks, demonstrating both air cavitation and metal fragments, were generated. In addition, other parameters of cavitation and fragmentation were obtained from the CT scans, including the volume and internal surface area of the air cavity within the gelatine block. Entry and exit defects of the skin simulant were also documented. Our results indicated that different bullet types exhibited different cavitation and fragmentation patterns. We also detected differences in exit wounds in the skin simulant. Further studies are needed to confirm our preliminary findings that a digital 3D analysis may aid to distinguish the bullet type in certain forensic scenarios.
在枪击事件的法医调查中，识别弹丸类型是主要目标之一，即使弹丸本身无法恢复。医学成像，主要是计算机断层扫描（CT），已成为检查和记录枪伤的宝贵工具。子弹类型通常表现出明显的碎片沉积和伤口空化模式。在这项研究中，我们研究了基于ct的空化和破片模式的数字三维（3D）分析的潜力，以区分四颗。223子弹雷明顿弹药（一枚软弹，一枚全金属弹套，两枚膨胀整体式子弹）。我们使用20 x 20 x 25 cm的弹道明胶块作为组织模拟物，在块的入口和出口壁上放置人造皮肤。试验射击距离为50 m。对明胶块进行了ct扫描，并生成了三维重建块，显示了空气空化和金属碎片。此外，从CT扫描中获得了其他空化和破碎参数，包括明胶块内空气腔的体积和内表面积。皮肤模拟物的入口和出口缺陷也被记录下来。结果表明，不同类型的子弹具有不同的空化破片模式。我们还在皮肤模拟物中发现了出口伤口的差异。需要进一步的研究来证实我们的初步发现，即数字3D分析可能有助于在某些法医场景中区分子弹类型。
{"title":"Differentiation between bullet types by means of a 3D analysis of gunshot cavitation and bullet fragmentation - A computed tomography study in ballistic gelatine","authors":"Juho-Antti Junno , Mikael Brix , Eveliina Lammentausta , Alina Junno , Timo Liimatainen , Jaakko Niinimäki , Juha Kiljunen , Petteri Oura","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100436","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100436","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Identification of the projectile type is among the main objectives in the forensic investigation of a gunshot incident, even if the projectile itself cannot be recovered. Medical imaging, primarily computed tomography (CT), has become a valuable tool in the examination and documentation of gunshot injuries. Bullet types often exhibit distinct patterns of fragment deposition and wound cavitation. In this study, we examined the potential of a CT-based digital three-dimensional (3D) analysis of cavitation and fragmentation patterns to distinguish between four bullets of.223 Remington ammunition (one soft point, one full metal jacket, and two expanding monolithic bullets). We utilized 20 x 20 x 25 cm blocks of ballistic gelatine as tissue simulant, with artificial skin on entry and exit walls of the blocks. Test firing was performed from a distance of 50 m. The gelatine blocks were CT-scanned and 3D reconstructions of the blocks, demonstrating both air cavitation and metal fragments, were generated. In addition, other parameters of cavitation and fragmentation were obtained from the CT scans, including the volume and internal surface area of the air cavity within the gelatine block. Entry and exit defects of the skin simulant were also documented. Our results indicated that different bullet types exhibited different cavitation and fragmentation patterns. We also detected differences in exit wounds in the skin simulant. Further studies are needed to confirm our preliminary findings that a digital 3D analysis may aid to distinguish the bullet type in certain forensic scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100436"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145622928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100439
Dan M. Weinthal , Amit Blumberg , Elisha Ziv , Hillel Shuman , Danielle Waingrod , Reouven Berdugo , David Shore , Noam Shomron , Alon Oz
On October 7, 2023, terror organizations launched a large-scale surprise attack on Israel, resulting in the deadliest mass fatality incident in the nation’s history. The assault left 1438 Israelis dead, 255 taken hostage, and over 1600 assailants killed in defensive operations. In the immediate aftermath, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Genomic Center for Casualties Identification rapidly expanded its capacity by integrating rapid DNA technology and implementing refined sample prioritization protocols to accelerate the identification process. This mass fatality incident unfolded under unprecedented circumstances. Thousands of human remains, often fragmented, burned, or intermingled with those of perpetrators, were recovered across multiple sites. Conventional identification methods such as dental or fingerprint analysis were frequently unavailable, leaving DNA profiling the primary method of identification. The extreme scale and severity of the event meant that each case presented unique combination of sample types, often requiring repeated extractions and multiple testing approaches to obtain viable genetic profiles. These challenges, though described here in scientific terms, reflected the reality of a brutal attack that left families anxiously awaiting for closure, and forensic teams working around the clock in conditions rarely seen in civilian laboratories. Our findings indicate that while rapid DNA profiling enabled identifications in under three hours, the key determinant of timely results was precise sample triage and prioritization. We therefore propose a combined approach integrating strategic triage with fast-track DNA profiling to manage complex casualty events effectively. Using this approach, all casualties within our ground operations were identified within 2–3 h. Beyond the technical achievements, this experience underscores the dual mission of forensic science during national crisis: to uphold the highest standard of accuracy and integrity, while performing this work with humanity and respect amidst profound loss. The lessons learned from October 7th, much like those drawn from 9/11 and the long-term work of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), which investigates mass graves and missing persons from conflicts and disasters, provide valuable guidance for forensic agencies worldwide, offering strategies to strengthen preparedness and resilience for future mass fatality incidents.
{"title":"From battlefield to burial: Complex casualty identification using rapid DNA analysis in 21st century warfare","authors":"Dan M. Weinthal , Amit Blumberg , Elisha Ziv , Hillel Shuman , Danielle Waingrod , Reouven Berdugo , David Shore , Noam Shomron , Alon Oz","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100439","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100439","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>On October 7, 2023, terror organizations launched a large-scale surprise attack on Israel, resulting in the deadliest mass fatality incident in the nation’s history. The assault left 1438 Israelis dead, 255 taken hostage, and over 1600 assailants killed in defensive operations. In the immediate aftermath, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Genomic Center for Casualties Identification rapidly expanded its capacity by integrating rapid DNA technology and implementing refined sample prioritization protocols to accelerate the identification process. This mass fatality incident unfolded under unprecedented circumstances. Thousands of human remains, often fragmented, burned, or intermingled with those of perpetrators, were recovered across multiple sites. Conventional identification methods such as dental or fingerprint analysis were frequently unavailable, leaving DNA profiling the primary method of identification. The extreme scale and severity of the event meant that each case presented unique combination of sample types, often requiring repeated extractions and multiple testing approaches to obtain viable genetic profiles. These challenges, though described here in scientific terms, reflected the reality of a brutal attack that left families anxiously awaiting for closure, and forensic teams working around the clock in conditions rarely seen in civilian laboratories. Our findings indicate that while rapid DNA profiling enabled identifications in under three hours, the key determinant of timely results was precise sample triage and prioritization. We therefore propose a combined approach integrating strategic triage with fast-track DNA profiling to manage complex casualty events effectively. Using this approach, all casualties within our ground operations were identified within 2–3 h. Beyond the technical achievements, this experience underscores the dual mission of forensic science during national crisis: to uphold the highest standard of accuracy and integrity, while performing this work with humanity and respect amidst profound loss. The lessons learned from October 7th, much like those drawn from 9/11 and the long-term work of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), which investigates mass graves and missing persons from conflicts and disasters, provide valuable guidance for forensic agencies worldwide, offering strategies to strengthen preparedness and resilience for future mass fatality incidents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100439"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145690393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The interpretation of mixed DNA profiles originating from multiple individuals can be very challenging. Probabilistic genotyping software is used to interpret such mixed DNA profiles, and it assigns a likelihood ratio based on the evidence given two hypotheses: a prosecution hypothesis and a defense hypothesis. For proper utilization of probabilistic genotyping software, internal validation is required. In this study, we performed internal validation of the probabilistic genotyping software STRmix™. Our internal validation studies complied with the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods guidelines for the validation of probabilistic genotyping systems, and was performed using GlobalFiler™ profiles generated from Japanese individuals to study the sensitivity, specificity, and precision of STRmix™, and the effects of the addition of a known contributor and incorrect assumption of the number of contributors were also assessed. The results of our internal validation studies suggest that STRmix™ using our laboratory-specific parameters is suitable for the purpose of interpreting mixed DNA profiles and statistical evaluation in our experimental and analytical environment. In addition, there were a few rare cases in which STRmix™ interpreted the results as exclusion (likelihood ratio = 0), despite the person of interest being a true contributor, due to extreme heterozygote imbalance and/or significant differences in the mixture ratio between loci due to the stochastic effects of PCR amplification. Therefore, we report these rare cases along with the results of our internal validation studies.
{"title":"Internal validation of probabilistic genotyping software STRmix™ V2.8 for GlobalFiler™ profiles generated from Japanese individuals","authors":"Takashi Fukagawa, Haruhiko Watahiki, Yusuke Mita, Tetsushi Kitayama, Koji Fujii, Natsuko Mizuno","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100437","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100437","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The interpretation of mixed DNA profiles originating from multiple individuals can be very challenging. Probabilistic genotyping software is used to interpret such mixed DNA profiles, and it assigns a likelihood ratio based on the evidence given two hypotheses: a prosecution hypothesis and a defense hypothesis. For proper utilization of probabilistic genotyping software, internal validation is required. In this study, we performed internal validation of the probabilistic genotyping software STRmix™. Our internal validation studies complied with the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods guidelines for the validation of probabilistic genotyping systems, and was performed using GlobalFiler™ profiles generated from Japanese individuals to study the sensitivity, specificity, and precision of STRmix™, and the effects of the addition of a known contributor and incorrect assumption of the number of contributors were also assessed. The results of our internal validation studies suggest that STRmix™ using our laboratory-specific parameters is suitable for the purpose of interpreting mixed DNA profiles and statistical evaluation in our experimental and analytical environment. In addition, there were a few rare cases in which STRmix™ interpreted the results as exclusion (likelihood ratio = 0), despite the person of interest being a true contributor, due to extreme heterozygote imbalance and/or significant differences in the mixture ratio between loci due to the stochastic effects of PCR amplification. Therefore, we report these rare cases along with the results of our internal validation studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"12 ","pages":"Article 100437"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145575927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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